Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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27156   Private Robert George Hillen
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 11/05/2021
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 28/01/1896
Died: 01/07/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age: 20
Summary      
Robert George Hillen was the son of James and Mary J Hillen. Robert was born in Carnteel, County Tyrone on 28th January 1896. Robert was a labourer. Robert Hillen enlisted in Aughnacloy with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Private Robert George Hillen was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916.
Private Robert George Hillen
Further Information
Robert George Hillen was the son of James and Mary J Hillen. James Hillen and Mary Morton were married on 11th May 1888 in the district of Dungannon.
Robert was born in Carnteel, County Tyrone on 28th January 1896. He was one of seven children, all born in the Aughnacloy area.
The 1901 census lists Robert G as age 5, living with the family at house 7 in Cavan O'Neill, Tullyvar, County Tyrone. His father was a farm labourer.
Family: James Hillen, Mary J ‘Minnie’ Hillen, Emma J Hillen (born 29th March 1889), Samuel M Hillen (born 7th February 1892), William James Hillen (born 1st February 1894), Robert George Hillen (born 28th January 1896), Margaret E Hillen (born 5th May 1897), Charlotte R Hillen (born 16th August 1901), John Hillen (born 28th January 1904, died 7th June 1904).
The 1911 census records Robert George as age 15 living with the family at house 1 in Garvey, Tullyvar. Robert was a labourer. His father was a shepherd.
Robert Hillen enlisted in Aughnacloy with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Medal card
Private Robert George Hillen was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 17 August 1916:
Private Robert G Hillen, Tyrone Volunteers, has been missing since 1st July 1916, and a letter received from his commanding officer states that every possible enquiry has been made, and that there can be little doubt now that he fell on that date. He was a son of Mr James Gillen, Garvey, Aughnacloy.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 24 August 1916:
Private Robert G Hillen, Garvey, Aughnacloy, (Tyrone Volunteers), has been missing since 1st of July. Colonel Ricardo, D.S.O., has written to his father stating no trace can be found of him.
Private Hillen is buried in Thistle Dump Cemetery, near Albert in France.
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Relevant Dungannon Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Cavan ONeill, Tullyvar Aughnacloy Census listing in Cavan O'Neill, Tullyvar 54.439201 -6.997976
GRONI References
TYPE - B:Birth M:Marriage D:Death | GRONI | SIBLING: brother or sister | NOTES: spelling inconsistencies, etc.
Date Type Surname First name Relationship GRONI Ref Notes
11/05/1888 M Morton Mary Parent M/1888/T1/2556/2/204
11/05/1888 M Hillen James Parent M/1888/T1/2556/2/204
29/03/1889 B Hillen Emma Sibling U/1889/102/1026/7/264 Hilland, Emily
07/02/1892 B Hillen Samuel Sibling U/1892/76/1026/9/77
01/02/1894 B Hillen James Sibling U/1894/76/1026/9/242
28/01/1896 B Hillen Robert George Casualty U/1896/76/1026/9/406
05/05/1897 B Hillen Margaret Sibling U/1897/76/1026/10/12
16/01/1901 B Hillen Charlotte Sibling U/1901/76/1026/10/276
28/01/1904 B Hillen John Sibling U/1904/76/1026/10/392
07/06/1904 D Hillen John Sibling D/1904/76/1026/8/257 died aged 0
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Hillen family Lists Robert G as age 5 living with the family at house 7 in Cavan O'Neill, Tullyvar, Tyrone
2 1911 Census lists Hillen family Lists Robert George as age 15 living with the family at house 1 in Garvey, Tullyvar, Tyrone
3 FindAGrave.com Photo of Private Robert Hillen's grave
4 Ireland Memorial Record Lists Robert Hillen, born Carnteel, County Tyrone
5 National Archives UK Medal Card can be purchased here
6 Tullyvar townland details confirms Cavan O'Neill as within Tullyvar in the parish of Carnteel
7 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Private Robert Hillen's grave can be purchased here
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023